I conquered my fear of the pressure canner!I know, I am 60 years old for heavens sake! But using a pressure canner has been a phobia for me all these years, I swear! But after talking to one of the bishops and his wife during a home teaching visit, they had been madly pressure canning carrots from their garden. We happened to have a bumper crop this summer and I was trying to figure out how not to waste them! Greg has been so awesome. When I told him I really wanted to overcome my fear and do some pressure canning, he ordered me this one from Amazon right away on a great deal AND no shipping! Well, long story short...he dug all the carrots and we cleaned and scrubbed them early in the week and put them in the fridge. The canner arrived on Wednesday! Last night we went to work getting them processed. And when I say "we" I mean it. Greg rolls up his sleeves on the nights he has home and helps me can whatever needs to be done! I love this guy I married! He loves me, he loves being with me, he loves domestic things, and he loves the sense of accomplishment and the beauty of all those bottles in the storage room. We bottled chunks for stew, diced some for soup, and bottled spears for roasts. I LOVE THIS THING! We are now going to watch for good deals on beef and chicken, etc. and bottle some for homemade soup and quick stew and such. Why did I wait so long to face my fear? Oh well, can't go back so I will just make the most of it in the coming years. If I get my hands on some free potatoes, look out!
I didn't take any pictures before we hauled bottles downstairs, but I will just record here that we previously cold-pack canned 52 pints of salsa, 36 pints of applesauce, 17 pints of peaches, 11 pints of spagetti sauce, and have cooked, mashed and frozen 15 pints of mashed banana squash! (So yummy!) The tomatoes and banana squash were from our garden and apples were provided to us by the Murray's tree and Greg's boss. Thanks so much! I had to buy the peaches but it was well worth it. I'll buy more next year if they are a decent price. Yea for provident living! And speaking of "living"...I am "living proof" you are never to old to learn something new!
I didn't take any pictures before we hauled bottles downstairs, but I will just record here that we previously cold-pack canned 52 pints of salsa, 36 pints of applesauce, 17 pints of peaches, 11 pints of spagetti sauce, and have cooked, mashed and frozen 15 pints of mashed banana squash! (So yummy!) The tomatoes and banana squash were from our garden and apples were provided to us by the Murray's tree and Greg's boss. Thanks so much! I had to buy the peaches but it was well worth it. I'll buy more next year if they are a decent price. Yea for provident living! And speaking of "living"...I am "living proof" you are never to old to learn something new!
3 comments:
Way to go Sister Rose. One tip for you about carrots. My parents have always hosed them off and then put them in the washing machine on a cold rinse. They will come out perfectly clean and not need any scrubbing. Also, did you know you can process dry beans (like pinto beans) so that you have cooked bottled beans ready for chili, soups, and casseroles? It's pretty easy and affordable.
Hey Wend, how did the salsa turn out. Just wondering which recipe you used and what you did to to tweek it. You're amazing!!! I'm just proud I got my salsa done. haha
I still haven't conquered my fear! I'm so proud of you! Great job Wendy!
Post a Comment